By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
& Bryan Manabat
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Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang said politics was behind the withdrawal of former Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission Chairman James Sirok’s renomination.
On April 9, 2026, Senate President Kark King-Nabors issued a memorandum withdrawing Sirok’s reappointment. Sirok had been renominated by the governor on Jan. 22, 2026, alongside Commissioner Oscar Patrick Quitugua.
The governor has already sworn in Quitugua to represent Rota on the commission.
In his memorandum to EAGI Chairman Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, King-Nabors asked the committee to “cease all further proceedings, hearings, or deliberations regarding [Sirok’s] reappointment.” He did not provide further explanation.
Cruz, for his part, pointed out that the 90-day period for legislative action had expired.
In an interview on Tuesday, Governor Apatang said the Senate president asked the committee to withdraw Sirok’s nomination, which meant “they are not going to act on it.”
Asked if he knew why, the governor said, “Yes. It’s politics,” noting that Sirok, a former legal counsel for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., “is very vocal.”
Apatang said the Senate could have acted on the nomination or put it to a vote if it intended not to confirm his nominee. He stressed that Sirok’s renomination was simply to continue serving on the commission.
The governor said he is now looking for someone as qualified as Sirok to represent Saipan on the CPUC.
Asked for comment, King-Nabors said the Senate does not have the votes to confirm Sirok’s reappointment.
He said he wanted to give the governor an opportunity to withdraw the reappointment and nominate someone else.
Sirok has served as a CPUC member for three years. He was appointed by the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and confirmed by both the House and Senate in June 2023.
The other CPUC members are retired educator Dr. John “Jack” A. Angello and Office of Grants Management–State Clearinghouse grants specialist Bruce Camacho.
CPUC hires Sirok
Sirok is now serving as the commission’s legal counsel following a unanimous vote earlier this month, CPUC Chairman Angello said.
He said the commission acted during its May 4 public meeting after advertising the position in Variety. Only one application was received, he added, but Sirok’s credentials stood out.
“Mr. Sirok’s application showed extensive experience in public utilities issues,” Angello said. “He previously served as CUC’s legal counsel for six years and chaired the CPUC for two years. The commission felt he was well qualified for the role.”
On May 15, commissioners unanimously elected Angello as chairman and Bruce Camacho as vice chairman.
The CPUC also voted to designate Commissioner Oscar Quitugua as honorary vice chairman for Rota and Commissioner James Mendiola Jr. as honorary vice chairman for Tinian.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
